One of my goals for my family this year is to become more active as a family. My husband is a runner, but I am just starting a fitness program. I have 3 kids, ages 9, 4 and 21 months. We have done two things so far that we hope to make more routine than occassional...one is to go on more walks along trails. We have lots of parks in our area that have "nature' trails. The two older kids walk with us and my husband puts the youngest in a hiking backpack, letting him out every once in a while to run around. The other thing is family bike rides. Right now the 2 youngest ride in a bike trailer we bought, but they will join us on their bikes as they get older.

We ride our bikes everywhere, walk the beach almost daily, work in our garden, participate in local charity walks/runs, etc.

So much to do out there!

--Buffy

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CILER11
Posts:
265
5/21/12 12:57 P

We hike, bike, swim, play soccer, softball, and I would like for us to play kickball at our annual Memorial Day Cookout. My daughter, 7, is desperate to do a 5K. I just need to get as fast as her. This weekend we took her and the nieces and nephew on a 2.5 mile hike, and they didn't complain once. I was so proud. :)

My wife and I are doing the couch to 5k program. It is alot of fun and gradually puts you into a running program. We have 25 miles of paved trails where we live and it is perfect. You can download the programn on your smart phone and it tells you when to run, when you walk and how far you have gone. It also tells you when you are half way done so we turn around and start going back to our cars! It is a blast. She is not one to run but she is enjoying it. We also take our puppy with us!

mine are all high school athletes so they get in plenty of exercise. they will run 5k's with me and my girls go to yoga when their scheds allow. we also spend alot of time in our pool, at the beach, and at the river

In general the kids and I are fairly active. In good weather we are at the playground, in bad weather indoors playground. I walk a lot in general, have itchy feet, I hurry everywhere. Except I don't count any of these activities as "fitness" or "excercise", that's just how it should be in general. ETA: our problem with food is portion control merged with quality problems :(

I do however want us to do "fitness" together, but they are still little so only now and than I can get them do gymnastic exercises (primarily aimed to enlarge their nerve network) or other co-ordinated physical activites. I'm trying to collect songs and games that playfully make the kids move their muscles. (suggestions are welcome, just message me)

At the moment I enjoy my solitary fitness regime, the only time when I can totally concentrate on myself, giving me a 'me' time. That's why I only count these sessions in the fitness counter.

We like to jump on our trampoline with our kids (ages 4,8,10) and also they really like to play tag which results in a lot of running around. Also swimming since we live in San Antonio and have a long summer season.

My DP and I take walks/hikes at the beach. We both love the ocean and the trail goes along an area where the sand cunes are protected and starting to fill in. the wind is fierce but this spring we area seeing more floering plants than ever. Really goreos colors of rich paintbruch (a depp rich ornag ered) lots of varying sizes of yellow flowers, pink and white iceplant, and all shades of lavender. There are lizards chasing around and we get quite a workout in between walking from the car parking area (we leave it at another facility and wlak over down a trail) then hike up and down the dunes, along the beach taking in the surf sounds, then back up a really long hill. In that soft sand, it is working out my behind, the calves & thighs, too.

During the week he plays golf 4 or 5 days and walks instead of using a cart. I go to physcial therapy twice a week where I cycle and use the elliptical trainer about 30 mintus total plus let exercises/ Alternate days I walk at the track 1 1-2 to 2 miles, and started hula hooping up to 15 min a day. Enjoy hooping to music with other family members. The neighbors next to our backyard probably thinks we're nuts but that's fine - it's a blast!

We do a lot of hikes and nature walks. We live close to an old rural railroad track which is currently not in use so we sometimes incorporate that into our workout. We "march" on the wooden railroad ties and make sure we step on each one, keeping our knees up and pumping our arms. It's actually a pretty good workout, since the height and spacing of the wood varies a bit each step.

We've made it a goal to go on one long (over a mile or more) once a week. Yesterday we went to a market and walked the length of it and back again (about 1.5 miles). Last week we walked along Cardinal Greenways (about 3 miles). Every time we want to walk a different place to keep it interesting.

"Power of momentum: It’s a scientific fact – something in motion tends to stay in motion. Momentum builds quickly and can lead to great results. Suddenly, you’re not only working for the goal, but also to keep your streak alive. Even more reason to reach your goals."

-Coach Zach

"None of us are failures no matter how many times we have had to restart this journey. We are just learners."

In the summer we do a lot of walking and biking with the kids. In the winter, we go skiing as a family almost every weekend that we can get away. Then year round, we do a lot at the YMCA, especially swimming.

We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training. Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC

I don't! I exercise every morning FOR ME....first thing I get up, get ready & hit the treadmill in the basement...then finish off with some biking time on my exercise bike. Cool down with pilates/yoga stretches & ab crunches...and boom--I'm done.

I enjoy playing outside with the kids, or going for walks, etc...but I don't wait to make it a family affair. I exercise every morning 7 days a week so I feel better--physically & mentally! It's the best example I could ever set for my kids.

Now when they see fat people on tv they say "Mom, s/he should get on a treadmill every day like you do!" So true......... :)

It is a hard thing to do together. My husband likes to walk only after dark--about the time I am thinking of going to bed. Weekends we can usually find a congenial time for both of us to walk. We try to find new places so no one gets bored.

Kickball is a favorite, we also create obstacle courses around the house or park and have some fun with those. We have dance offs as well. The family is 8 members hubby, myself and 6 kids from 15 down to 18 mths, they all participate and we laugh a lot.

EAKERSHOEK
Posts:
400
5/20/12 7:04 A

My daughters and I have a Wii Just Dance (they have to dance- no just flipping the remote) night then strength exercises and stretching afterwards. Lots of fun and... their Mom can finally beat them on a few songs. :) :)

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?

AMANDA_C
Posts:
94
5/20/12 6:49 A

Walking! My oldest likes to walk with us while the littlest rides in the stroller or wagon most of the time. If it's a really long walk the oldest eventually climbs in to ride for a while too. They LOVE to see the sights & I love to spend time with them while exercising!

But the problem ist: 8 year old, a very very fit hubby and me do not match easy.

one of the phantastic things we made: when we lived in Hamburg, Germany, we had a folding canoe - (without child) and that was great. If I was tired, my hubby did all the work. He could work out and all of us had been happy :)

I don't have children yet, so my family consists of myself and my husband (and our dog and cat ). We take alot of walks together, hiking, swimming, sometimes biking, anything outdoors. I am sure that when we have kids, we will include them in the same activities, plus more (dance, hooping, team sports, etc.). My husband loves gold mining too, so I know they will get involved in that as well

We all started Tae Kwon Do as a family. It was nice because the adults could work out in one room and the kids could work out in another. Now I'm the only one left that goes but it was a really great family activity!

Hello sparkfamily! Please visit my page to see the teams that I lead as all of them will not fit here! I am looking forward to seeing you there! Remember to keep HEALTHY at the top of your daily list! You can do it! Hugs, Rose:))

My girls are NUTS for swimming, so it's off to the pool for us. We also enjoy skating, bowling, walking, biking, and they enjoy skiing (me not so much). It's very hard to find family friendly venues for exercise. It seems like all the best types of exercise are segregated by age.

We like to go hiking. Last week my 21 yo daughter and I did an 8 mile hike through Starved Rock Park, climed some stairs and canyons. We were super tired afterwards but felt fantastic! When I want to work out with the family we usually find a new walking path or hiking place.

Edited by: DFREITAG4 at: 5/18/2012 (14:05)

Don't talk about building a house, Build The House!

SHORTCHIK76
Posts:
10
5/18/12 12:06 P

We have a seasons pass to the zoo, sometimes we just go to walk around and see a show. It tuckers them out!! Kailyn and Austin are 16 months and Jenna is 4. We make them walk. Mean right? bwwaaahahahahahah

DSTENORE
Posts:
87
5/18/12 10:26 A

My husband and I like to walk together, hike in the local mountain or along the sidewalk at the beach is always a pleasant experience.

LORNAMARIE
Posts:
37
5/18/12 9:55 A

My son is young so we mostly play in the backyard. We play tag, limbo with a skipping rope and pretend to be trains with the skipping rope. Sometimes we actually attempt to skip but that's not really working yet. We also just plain run around the block playing chase. It isn't much of a workout for me with my son being just 3 but it is fun and outdoors and hopefully adds up.

With bigger kids I might play a more structured game like red rover or hop scotch. I love biking and we do that too but its hard to fit that in by the time you're done dinner and still have enough time for bath and reading etc on a week night.

we tend to cook outdoors more when the weather is warmer, so it's a perfect atmosphere for the men and boys to play their sport of choice the women and girls always take advantage of the mini trampoline, punching bag, etc... so it's been a way for me to get them out and active....

ONE DAY AT A TIME - EVERY MINUTE COUNTS - BABY STEPS = ACCOMPLISHED GOALS - LIVING MY LIFE LIKE ITS GOLDEN....

Goals/Accomplishments: based on a 4-wk month, counted as 28 days. Minute Counts: monthly goal is increased by 10 minutes each month.. May 2012 goal set at:840 end total: 913 (30 minutes per day) June 2012 goal set at:1120 end total:

I think we are going to spendm more time at state parks this year. I want to try the junior ranger program that they have.

Camping was enjoyed by the entire family last year. We wanted to save money on vacation so we did a lot of camping, and the thing is - we all seemed to enjoy it more than any other vacations that we've taken, and it gives us the chance to be active and outdoors.... can't wait til summer is here.

I have to vote for biking too. I just had the LO out last week on a 10 mile ride! It goes a lot slower with a 6 yo but it is so worth it to have the interaction and to know that we're setting a good example.

The best outdoor activity for my family has got to be bicycling. We are fortunate to live in an area with multiple bicycle trails. Once the warm weather hits and everyone is geared up, we take to the trails. We can easily complete 6 miles on each ride. The girls enjoy it because we're not only interacting with one another but also nature and other people on the trail.

Our favorite indoor activity is Kinect competition. It's the parents v. the kids! We have a pretty good time dancing, bowling and competing in different sports. Not only do we get a workout from the actual movement from the game but also from laughing so hard at one another.

Our other activities include: tennis, swimming, cross country running, volleyball, soccer and track and field. It gets a bit hectic at times but it's all worth it in the end.

I love that my boys are old enough now that we can do some fitness activities together. They are 5 and 6. Here are some of the things we've done...

1.) We walk a local nature trail. The boys hiked almost 2 miles about 6 weeks ago. I couldn't believe it, they loved it, they were sure tired, but they kept wanting to keep going. We kept notes about nature things and saw some interesting things that they still remember and keep pointing out when they see them again.

2.) Biking while mom rollerblades down a smooth bike path we have near my house. My littlest guy still has training wheels so the older one and I would have to keep going and coming back to keep busy while he was catching up, but I got a good workout and we all had a good time.

3.) Just biking together

4.) Them biking while I go for jogs/walks, they usually have to pace me, or wait while I catch up, but they love it

5.) Swimming at our YMCA. The kids are old enough to stay in the smaller warm pool while hubs and I do laps in the big pool.

6.) Baseball/Softball practice with the boys and my stepdaughter. It's good practice, and its fun, and it's active.

This is just such a new thing for us, each year previous I always had one child who moaned and groaned, or one struggle after another and could never seem to really get a work out with kids and this summer has been a break through. I love that we're teaching them these things too and incorporating them into our daily routine. What else do you do with your kids?

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